Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Ryan Sproul played for two OJAHL teams during this season. In 7 games for the Bramlea Bulls, he picked up 1 assist. In 8 games for the Vaughn Vipers, he scored 1 goal and added 1 assist for 2 points. Sproul was chosen in the fourth round, 49th overall, of the 2010 USHL Entry Draft by the Tri-City Storm.

2010-11: Sproul began the season with the Vaughn Vipers, but joined the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds after 3 games with the Vipers. In 61 games for the Greyhounds, Sproul scored 14 goals and added 19 assists for 33 points.

2011-12: Sproul signed an entry-level three-year contract with Detroit in March 2012 following his second junior season with Sault Ste. Marie. He was the third-leading scorer for the Greyhounds and was third amongst all OHL defensemen with 54 points. He scored 23 goals with 31 assists and was plus-16 with 53 penalty minutes in 61 games for the Greyhounds. After a tight three-team playoff race down the stretch, Sault Ste. Marie finished fifth in the West Division, one point behind Windsor for the final spot.

2012-13: Sproul made his pro hockey debut, joining Detroit AHL affiliate Grand Rapids in April after his third OHL season with Sault Ste. Marie. He had no points and was -1 with 2 penalty minutes in two games with the Griffins. Grand Rapids went on to win the Calder Cup but Sproul did not see any playoff action. He skated in 50 OHL regular season games, missing six weeks after suffering an arm injury in October, and was the Greyhounds second-leading scorer behind forward Nick Cousins (Philadelphia). He scored 20 goals (11 on the power play) with 46 assists and was an even plus/minus with 45 penalty minutes. The Greyhounds were second in the West Division and faced Owen Sound in a first round playoff series. Sproul scored 2 goals with 3 assists and was -4 in six playoff games.

2013-14: Sproul made his NHL debut with Detroit on April 13th in a game at St. Louis after skating for Red Wings’ AHL affiliate Grand Rapids in his first pro season. He had no points nor penalties in his only NHL game, playing 18:25 minutes against the Blues. Sproul scored 11 goals with 21 assists and had an even plus/minus with 49 penalty minutes in 72 regular season games for Grand Rapids. The Griffins finished second in the Midwest Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Sproul scored 2 goals with 3 assists and was +2 with 4 penalty minutes in 10 playoff games.

2014-15: Sproul was the second-leading scorer amongst defensemen for Detroit AHL affiliate Grand Rapids behind one-time Buffalo Sabre Nathan Paetsch in his second pro season. The Griffins made the playoffs after battling Rockford for the top spot in the league’s Midwest Division.

Talent Analysis

Sproul boasts tremendous offensive instincts, can quarterback a power play, and no longer is knocked for his skating ability or defensive skills. He has shown vast improvement since being drafted. His defensive game is still developing and he continues to refine the secondary areas of his game.

Future

Sproul spent the 2014-15 season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and appears to be getting close to being NHL-ready. His offensive numbers dipped in his second pro season on a balanced blue line, as he was one of five Griffins' defensemen that finished with 15 or more points. Sproul must continue to develop the defensive side of his game but he is an intriguing prospect with top-four NHL potential.

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Photo: Milwaukee Admirals goalltender and Nashville Predators prospect Marek Mazanec had a taste of NHL action during the 2013-14 season, playing well in a 25-game stint with the NHL club (courtesy of John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

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Photo: Zach Nastasiuk, Detroit’s 48th overall pick in 2013, served as captain for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack in 2013-14 and then finished the year by making his pro debut with Grand Rapids (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

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